Typographical distributing machine



Dec. 15 1925 1,565,372 -G. P. KINGSBURY` TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE Filed March 11, 1925 n INVENTOR A oRNEYS latenteel-ec. l5, i925.

nire; srarss GEORGE l. KINGSBURY, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, 1ASSIGNR T0 `IVIE1:{(3`rlllNIEIALEIEt `LINO'IYPIE. COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TYPOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

Application filed March 11, 1925. Serial No. 14,633.

` To all ifi/tom t may concern.'

, and

Be it known that I, GEORGE P. KINGS- BURY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of'New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Typographical Distributing Machines, of which the following is a specilication.

This invention relates to typographical 'machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in U. S.` Letters Patent to O. Mergenthaler, No 436,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print and then assembled in line, the comi posed line transferred to the face of a mold,

the mold filled with molten metal to form. a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, the matrices thereafter returned through a distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started. In some machines, such as the commercial Model 9, `where matrices may be drawn from several magazines and mixed together inthe same line, the distributing mechanism includes a primary distributor which first sorts the matrices according to font, and a plurality of main distributors which thereafter sort the matrices of the individual fontsl according to character and restorethem to their proper channels in the magazines. lVith Y this type of distributing mechanism, the 1 n'iatrices, after font separatmmpass down chutes or tubes and enter so-called lower distributor boxes, wherein they are guided Vupon inclined rails into engagement with reciprocating` pawls or escapements, which feed them one at a time to the main distributors. In order that these pawls or escapements may cooperate properly with the matrices, the latter are provided in their bottom edges with central notches, which necessarily varyv in shape and depth according to the thickness of the individual matrices. Besides adding to the cost of producrioes comprising fonts used on other machines, such as those of the single distributor class, are excluded from use on machines of the multiple distributory class described,

since they do not have the required centrall handle matrices of all fonts whether they have or have not the objectionable central notches referred to. To this end, each of the lower distributor boxes is provided with shouldersfor arresting the matrices in advance of the distributor screws, and with a lifting finger to raise the arrested matrices successively above said shoulders and permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up bythe leading ends of the screw threads. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the released matrices are directed to the pick-up position by short inclined guiding surfaces `onto which each matrix in turn is pushed as it is raised by the lifting finger.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention has been shown merely in preferred form and by way of example and as applied to the specific type of distributing mechanismindicated. However, many changes and variations may be made therein and in its mode of application, which will still be comprised within its spirit. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to anys eciiic form or embodiment except in so ar as such limitations are speciiied in the claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a lower distributor box, partly broken away, equipped with the present improvements;

Fig. 2 is a vertical, transverse section, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is an elevation, similar to l but showing a matrix lifted above the a-rresting shoulders; and

Fig. 4L is a detail view showing a modified construction.

The matrices Xare released by the primary distributor (not shown) and enter one or another of the lower distributor boxes A, wherein they are guided and sustained by their projecting ears a' upon upper and lower inclined rails A1, A2,. VEach box is associated with a distributor, which comprises the usual longitudinally ribbed bar B and the set of matrix conveying screws B1, the arrangement being such that, as the matrices escape from the box to the piek-up position, they will be immediately advanced by the screws across the horizontal rail extensions A3 into engagement with,

the bar B and thence along the same until finally released above their respective magazine channels. The foregoing parts and their mode of operation, except as hereinafter pointed out, are or may be of any api'A proved construction or as Iembodied in the ,ing from the chute Gr are straightened up in the usual Way at X1,`so as to properly engage the upper and lower guide rails A1,

A2, down which `theyslideby gravity until arrested in upright position by the engagement of their projecting ears m withshoulders A4 formed ontheupper guide rails A1 andcorresponding shoulders A5 formed on the lower guide rails A2. A lifting finger C, mounted toreciprocate within the box and actuated through the usual connections from a cam or eccentric stud BL on one of the screws B, is employed to release the arrested matrices oneat a time, by. lifting them successively above the shoulders A4, A5. As the matrices are thus released, they slide down short inclined -surfaces A6 formed on the 'guide rails and which 'direct vthem into position to be pickedup they AsV leading ends B2 of the screw threads. will be noted, the shoulders A4', A5 are disposed in a vertical plane lying slightly in advance of the receiving ends of the distributor screws, so that a released matrix will have a comparatively short distance to travel in escaping to the pick-up position. The `distributor screws may consequently be readily and accurately timed to receive and advance the matrices as they escape from the distributor box. In thisconnecti'on, it is pointed out that the screws are'recessed or out away at their receiving yends, as at B3, to give a released matrix more room and time to reach the pick-,up position before it is engaged by the screw-threads.

lVith the foregoing arrangement', the feeding of the matrices to thel distributor screws might take place in the required manner if several matrices were stacked up in front of the arresting shoulders, since the vweight of the succeeding matrices would tend to displace the foremost matrix facewise over the arresting shoulders when raised by the lifting finger C. While an escapement of this kind might prove satisfactory under many conditions, it is proposed in carrying out the present invention to provide means for effectinguthe positive facewise displacement of the elevated matrices in order to facilitate their escape and insuretheir delivery to the distributor screws. To this end, the distributor box A is further provided with a spring controlled dog D, pivoted thereto as at D1, and having a cross-piece D2 arranged directly above an arrested matrix so as to be engaged by the lupper ears thereof when it is elevated by the lifting finger C. p Accordingly, as each matrix is lifted `above the arresting shoulders A4, A5, the lower portion D3 of the dog is caiised to 'move forwardly against the body of the matrix and push it faeewise over said shoulders abovel the inclined surfaces VA6 (see Fig. 3); then, as the lifting finger recedes, the matrix slides by gravity down the inclined surfaces into position to be picked up by the screws. y

In order to guard'against thep'ossibility of'a matrix being pushed over too far by the dog D, there are provided (see Figs. 1 and 2) two pairs of fixed shoulders El, E2, arranged in position to engage the four projecting ears of a lifted matrix and arrest it in the desired plane as it is pushed forwardly by the dog. As shown, the shoulders El of the upper pair are arranged to cooperate with the upper ears of the matrix, being formed n overhan'ging fingers'E secured to opposite sides of the box casing, while the'shoulders E2 of the lower pair are arranged to cooperate with the lower projecting ears of said matrix, being formed by cutting away the lower edges of the upper guide `'rails A1. y

y lt will now be seen that, in the operation of the parts, a matrix entering kthe box A willslid'e down the guide rails A1, A2 into contact with the arresting shoulders A4, A5 and be lifted by the iin'gerC into engagement with the dog D, which by such lifting action pushes 'thel matrix facewise past the arresting shoulders and up against the restraining shoulders E1,-E2, when, upon the descent of the lifting finger, the matrix is allowed to escape down the inclined -surfaces AG to the screw pick-up position.

yIn the present embodiment, the dog D serves the additional purpose of preventing the raising by the lifting finger of more than vone matrix at a time. That is to say, the lower portion D3 of the dog is made in the form of a blade to vcooperate with the usual `central separator slots, withwhich all matri'ees Vabove a minimum thickness are provided.` The foiward edge of the, blade D3 is `s`et at the required dlistancerin 'advance of V,the matrix arresting shoulders by the engagement of the upper end D2 of the dog Y with a fixed partof lthe box casing (Fig l).

Fig. 4 shows a modification, according to which the lifted matrices are displaced foi'- wardly over the arresting shoulders by cam surfaces A7, AS, in lieu of` the vibratory dog D. These cam surfaces A7, As are formed respectively in the lower edges of the upper guide rails A1 and in plates B5 secured to opposite sides of the box casing, and are so arranged as to engage the four projecting ears of each matrix las it is lifted above the arresting shoulders A, A5. Hence, a matrix arrested in the full line position Y will, as it is raised by the lifting finger C, be guided by the cam surfaces to the dotted line position Z and then escape down the inclined surfaces AG in the manner before described.

As before stated, the invention has been herein shown and described only in preferred formyand by way of example, and

itshould be understood that it is susceptible of embodiment in other forms and arrangements without departing from its scope. One of the prominent features involved is the lifting of the matrices, one at a time, to eifecttheir release and then allowing the released matrices to pass by gravity to the pick-up position of the-screws. The use of inclined surfaces to direct the released matrices to the pick-up position is also important, although it is realized that the matrices may be caused to descend such surfaces other than by displacing the matrices facewise, as they are lifted.`

I-Iaving thus described my invention, its construction and mode of operation, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is as follows:

1. In a typographical distributing mech- Y anism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of guide means along which the matrices pass by gravity to the screws, said guide means being adapted to support av plurality of matrices in facewise contact, means for arrestingthe matrices at a point iii advance of the screws, and a reciprocating finger' for releasing the arrested inatrices, one at a time, to permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by cape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws, and inclined surfaces arranged to direct the released matrices to Vthe pick-up position.

3. In a typographical'distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the comvbination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, shoulders or abutments for arresting the matrices within the box, and a reciprocatingfinger for liftingthe arrested matrices, one at a time, to permit their escape by gravity into position to be picked up by the screws.

et. In a typographical distributing mechanismconiprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributorbox` .through which the matrices pass by gravity, shoulders or abutments'for arresting the matrices within the box, a .reciprocating linger for lifting the `arrested matrices, one at aV time, above said shoulders to permit their escape by gravity into positionk to be picked up by the screws, and inclined surfaces extending downwardly from the arresting shoulders to direct the escaping matrices to the pickup position.

c. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising aI distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of guide means along `which the matrices pass facewise by gravity to the screws, means for arresting the matrices at a point in advance of the screws, Ineans for releasing the arrested matrices, one at a time, to permit their escape by gravity into i position to be picked up by the screws, and means for displacing the released matrices facewise to facilitate their escape to the pick-upposition. a,

6. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor boxthrough vwhich the matricespass by gravity,shoulders or abutments for arresting the matrices within the box, a lifting finger for releasing `thevarrested matrices, inclined surfaces arranged to direct the released matrices into position to be picked up by the screws, and means for displacing the released matrices facewise to facilitate their escape down said inclined surfaces to the pick-up position.

7. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, guide rails arranged therein and formed with matrix arresting shoulders and with inclined surfaces leading downwardly therefrom, areciprocating finger for lifting theV arrested matrices successively above the shoulders to permit their escape down said inclined surfaces into position to be picked up by the screws, and means for displacing the lifted matrices facewise to allow them to descend along said inclinedsurfaces.

lll)

8.l In a typographical'distributing mechanism comprising a distributor barand a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, means for arrestthe released matrices facewise to facilitate their escape to the pick-up position.

9. In a typographical-distributing mechanismcomprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, upper and lower guide rails arranged therein and formed with matrix Varresting shoulders and inclined surfaces leading downwardly therefrom, a reciprocating finger for lifting the arrested matrices successively above the shoulders to permit their escape, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, and a blade arranged to cooperate with the matrices torprevent more than one being lifted at the same time, said blade being operated by the lifted matrices to displace them fa'cewise to bring their projecting ears above said inclined surfaces down which they pass to the pick-up position.

l0. A typographical distributing mechanism according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterized by the fact that the conveying screws are cut away or recessed at their receiving ends to give more `room and time Vfor the'released matrices to reach the pick-up position.

1l. Ina typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor bar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a-distributor box through which the matrices pass by gravity, means for arresting the matrices within .the box, means for releasingfthe s arrested matrices, inclined surfaces arranged to direct the released matrices into position to be picked up by the screws, means for displacing'the released matrices facewise to facilitate their escape f down said inclined surfaces to the pick-up position, and means for restrainingytiie matrices against abnormal Vfacewise displacement.

l2. In a typographical distributing mechanism comprising a distributor Ybar and a set of matrix conveying screws, the combination of a distributor box through which the matrices passby gravity, guide-rails arranged therein and having vshoulders'to arrest the matrices, a-reciprocating fingerfor lifting the arrested matrices successively above the shoulders to permit their escape, one at a time, into position to be picked up by the screws, inclined surfaces extending downwardly from the arresting shoulders, and cam surfaces arranged to displace the matrices facewise asthey are'lifted to bring their projecting ears over said inclined surfaces. y

In testimony whereof, I 'have laffixed, my signature hereto.

.GEORGE r. KINGSBURY. 

